First drive: 2014 Fiat 500L

By John LeBlanc, Postmedia News

Originally published: June 19, 2013

SMALL

MEDIUM

LARGE

BALTIMORE, MD. – It’s been more than two years since the first 500 city car arrived in Canada, but Fiat fans finally have a second model to lust for with the new 2014 500L. And although the Italian automaker’s marketing types insist the “L” in the new compact hatchback’s name stands for “loft” — as in the type of urban lifestyle targeted owners may live — the addition of the letter to the 500 badge really means “large.”

Following in BMW’s Mini brand’s footsteps with the addition of its larger Cooper Countryman, the front-wheel-drive 500L is literally an expansion of the Fiat 500 city car range. And as with the new 500L’s two main rivals — the aforementioned Countryman and Kia Soul — you could spend the day arguing over an espresso or three about the 500L’s distinctive looks, but the functional improvements over the relatively tiny 500 two-door hatch are measurable.

Compared to the existing four-passenger 500, the L offers two more doors (for a total of four), a 42% bigger cabin for five passengers, and nearly 14 cubic feet more rear cargo room with the second-row seats up (as much as 23 cu. ft., even more than the Mini or Kia).

There’s also “more” under the new 500L’s stubby front hood. Its lone powerplant is a 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque version of the 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine found in the topline 500 Abarth. A six-speed manual is the standard gearbox, while a dual-clutch automatic is optional.

Subsequently, more money is also required to get into the larger Fiat. While a base 101-hp Fiat 500 starts at $15,995, the 500L costs an extra $4,000 — right in line with the 164-hp $19,195 Kia Soul 2.0 L 2U, but considerably less than the 121-hp $25,500 Mini Cooper Countryman. Even on the base 500L Pop (with features like hands-free communication, remote keyless entry and cruise control) standard gear is generous. And like the existing Countryman and forthcoming second-generation 2014 Soul, you can customize the 500L’s interior with a variety of two-tone colour schemes, a navigation system and a massive panoramic sunroof. For lofters with a bigger budget, the topline $25,995 500L Lounge features heated leather seats, rear back-up camera, a six-speaker audio system and more.

Fiat officials admit buyers may pick the 500L based solely on its Italian personality. The good news, though, is the new Fiat does a decent job as a practical urban car. Although Fiat added North American-specific features like larger cupholders and a standard front passenger armrest, the new 500L largely adopts the interior design of the European Fiat Panda it’s heavily based upon, highlighted by straightforward driver’s instrumentation and a central five-inch touchscreen interface.

While larger front passengers literally rub elbows in the smaller Cinqecento, the 500L’s wider cabin delivers a far less intimate experience. For added cargo flexibility, the Fiat’s front passenger seat folds flat, and its 60/40-split rear seats can slide back and forth. Admittedly, the Fiat’s fit and finish and use of quality materials isn’t up to the high standards of the Mini, but it is comparable to the Kia.

After spending a morning scooting in and around the metro Baltimore area (the Maryland city is the port of entry for North American-bound 500L’s from their originating Serbian factory), my 2014 500L Lounge came across as a comfortable-if-not-sporty vehicle. The combination of a tall seating position, pair of thin A-pillars and wrap-around glass means the Fiat has excellent outward visibility. The turbo-four delivers competitive fuel economy — as little as 8.0L/100 km in the city and 6.0 on the highway when equipped with the stick. However, despite sharing its engine with the 500 Abarth, the 500L is no hot hatch to drive.

The 500L’s zero to 100 km/h run takes around 11 seconds (about the same as a base Cooper Countryman.) The Fiat corners flatter than its tall looks may suggest. But its numb electric steering doesn’t urge you to explore its handing limits. From a comfort standpoint, the 500L’s ride quality is fairly absorbent over bad pavement. But when pressed, it tends to pogo when cornering hard. Also of note: The dual-clutch autobox is a drag. Its shifts seemed geared more toward fuel economy than driving fun. A second, more conventional torque converter autobox arrives later in the year, which may be worth the wait.

Other nits to pick? Although the Fiat Panda is offered with all-wheel drive, the 500L is strictly a front-driver. And Fiat says there is no higher-performing 500L Abarth in the works. However, one look at a Mini showroom may indicate that both of these issues may be addressed in the future.

Until then, the new 2014 Fiat 500L should be a success for Fiat in Canada. In only two short years, the brand already outsells BMW’s Mini. The roomy, comfortable, customizable and more accessible 500L should enhance that success considerably.